Susan Beckett

Here we are again - another New Year to usher in and along with it the proverbial New Year’s resolutions! The list, of course, is endless and is usually framed around self-improvement— read more books, be a nicer person, exercise, don’t eat so many jelly donuts, etc. But almost 50% of those who make these resolutions break them within the first month. So, this year I’ve decided to stick to making only one new resolution. I’ve determined this year not just to survive but to thrive! That’s my resolution! Thrive!!

Christmas is over, but I bet many of you still have your trees and decorations up! What is it about this year? It’s been a rough one and I, for one, just hate to see the joy and sheer delight of the season come to an end. This Christmas - more than others - has been a wonderful diversion from all the craziness going on! So - just to hang on for one more week, here are some holiday tidbits to extend your season a bit.

Gifts! Gifts! Gifts! People sure love getting and giving them year round don’t they?! And it seems at Christmas, it gets ramped up to full speed ahead! So, besides baking every cookie known to man, fully decorating your home - inside & out - sending cards to people you rarely see, and attending all sorts of holiday events - you now find yourself shopping your head off for scores of people. But what to buy?? The million dollar question for sure.

Can you remember back to a time when you found money laying on the ground in a parking lot - maybe just a dime or a quarter? I don’t know about you, but when that happens, I always feel like I’ve hit the jackpot. Have you ever been gifted with something for no reason - not your birthday, anniversary, or Christmas - you didn’t deserve or earn it - the favor just happened, totally unexpected?

No stinking thinkin' allowed anymore or a brainy robot may take your place, or so "they" think. Artificial intelligence - AI - is slowly infiltrating every aspect of our lives, everything from business to education and entertainment - even into our homes. In fact, even though AI has made life easier and more efficient in some ways, there are still the occasional unforeseen blunders that are often pretty humorous. People aren't perfect, but, apparently, neither are robots!